US6264396B1 - Ball socket clamping device - Google Patents

Abstract

A retractor support apparatus of the present invention includes a first support arm, a second support arm, and a first clamping member. The first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto. The first clamping member has a clamping bore that is adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls. The first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamp is in an open position. The first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the clamp is in clamping position.

Description

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/710,164, filed Sep. 12, 1996, which was granted into U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,627, on May 4, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a surgical retractor apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a clamp for use with a retractor support apparatus having a plurality of retractor support arms.

While performing certain surgical techniques, it is desirable to retract tissue adjacent an incision to enhance a surgeon's ability to perform the desired surgical technique. This is typically accomplished by mounting a retractor apparatus to an operating table. One such prior art retractor apparatus is disclosed in LeVahn et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,707, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The LeVahn et al. retractor apparatus includes an extension rod that is attached to a first support rod with a first clamp. The LeVahn et al. retractor apparatus also includes a second support rod that is attached to the first support rod with a second clamp. The first and second support rods are configured to extend over the surgical table on opposite sides of the incision.

When using the LeVahn et al. retractor apparatus, the extension rod is mounted with respect to the operating table using a mounting bracket such as is disclosed in LeVahn et al. The first support rod is oriented in a desired position and the first clamp is moved to a closed position. Next, the second support rod is oriented in a desired position and the second clamp is moved to a closed position. At this point, it is possible to attach retractors to the retractor support.

The clamps used in conjunction with the prior art retractor apparatuses take a variety of configurations. Two such clamps that have been used with prior art retractor apparatus are disclosed in LeVahn, U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,195, and Gorham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,240, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application. The LeVahn and Gorham clamps each contain a first clamp member and a second clamp member, which is pivotally mounted to the first clamp member. The first and second clamp members are each adapted to receive a retractor support arm.

The LeVahn and Gorham clamps also include a handle for moving the clamp from an open position to a clamping position. When the clamp is in the open position, the first clamp member may be pivoted with respect to the second clamp member. When the clamp is in the clamping position, the first clamp member is maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the second clamp member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a retractor support apparatus that includes a first support arm, a second support arm, and a first clamping member. The first support arm is fixedly attached to a first pivot ball and the second support arm is fixedly attached to a second pivot ball.

The first clamp member includes a clamping bore that is adapted to receive and engage the first and second pivot balls. The first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the first clamping member is in an open position. The first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the first clamping member is in a clamping position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball joint clamp of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ball joint clamp.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ball joint clamp, which is taken along a line3—3 in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the ball joint clamp, which is taken along aline4—4 in FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A retractor support apparatus according to the present invention is most clearly illustrated at10 in FIG.1. Theretractor support apparatus10 is particularly suited for use with mounting surgical instruments, such as retractors, with respect to an operating table (not shown). Theretractor support apparatus10 includes aclamp12, afirst support arm14, asecond support arm16, and anextension rod18. The first andsecond support arms14,16 each have apivot ball19 attached thereto.

An advantage of theretractor support apparatus10 of the present invention is that when theclamp12 is in an open position, theclamp12 allows the first andsecond support arms14,16 to be moved to a selected position and then retains the first andsecond support arms14,16 in the selected position. Therefore, a surgeon may move the first and second support arms to the selected position without needing to hold the support arms until the arms are clamped. As used herein, the term “retains” means that the first andsecond support arms14,16 remain in the selected position once the first andsecond support arms14,16 are placed in the selected position without need of additional or other support.

When theclamp12 is in a clamping position, theclamp12 secures the first andsecond support arms14,16 in the selected position. As used herein, the term “secures” means that the first andsecond support arms14,16 remain in the selected position even when forces are placed upon the first andsecond support arms14,16.

Retaining the first andsecond support arms14,16 in the selected position when theclamp12 is in the open position enhances the ability to position theretractor support apparatus10 of the present invention because the first andsecond support arms14,16 do not need to be held in the selected position when theclamp12 is in the open position.

Theclamp12 includes afirst clamping member20 and asecond clamping member22. Thefirst clamping member20 is preferably constructed from a block of stainless steel that is machined to form anupper clamp leg24 and alower clamp leg26, as most clearly illustrated in FIG. 2. Aslot28 separates theupper clamp leg24 and thelower clamp26. Proximate to afirst end30 of thefirst clamping member20, thefirst clamping member20 includes aclamping bore32, which is in communication with theslot28.

Thefirst clamping member20 is constructed to allow theupper clamp leg24 and thelower clamp leg26 to move towards each other. Moving theupper clamp leg24 and thelower clamp leg26 towards each other decreases the circumference of theclamping bore32 thereby enablespivot balls19 to be clamped within theclamping bore32.

Proximate to asecond end34 of thefirst clamping member20, thefirst clamping member20 has abolt bore40 formed therein. Thebolt bore40 is preferably orientated substantially transverse to theclamping bore32. Theupper clamp leg24 additionally has ahandle bore42 formed therein. The handle bore42 preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape and is in communication with thebolt bore40.

Theclamping bore32 is adapted to receive asleeve52. Thesleeve52 has a slot54 removed therefrom. The slot54 allows thesleeve52 to constrict in response to a force applied to anouter surface56 of thesleeve52 such as when the upper andlower clamp legs24,26 are moved towards each other.

Proximate to eachend58 of thesleeve52, the sleeve includes asemi-circular channel60 that extends around an inner surface62 of thesleeve52. Thechannels60 are each shaped to conform with an outer surface of thepivot balls19 to increase the surface area over which thesleeve52 engages thepivot balls19. The increased surface area provided by thechannels60 not only enhances the ability of theclamp12 to secure thesupport arms14,16 in the selected position when theclamp12 is in the clamping position but the increased surface area contact between thesleeve52 and thepivot balls19 also assists to retain thesupport arms14,16 in the selected position when theclamp12 is in the open position.

Theclamp12 also preferably includes aspring70, which is positioned in thesleeve52 so thatopposite ends72 of thespring70 engage thepivot balls19, as most clearly illustrated in FIG.4. Thespring70 is selected with sufficient resiliency so that thespring70 biases thepivot balls19 apart from each other and into the inner surface62 of thesleeve52. Thespring70 thereby retains thepivot balls19 in a selected position with respect to thesleeve52 when theclamp12 is in the open position. Thespring70 also permits thepivot balls19 to be pivoted within thesleeve52 in response to a force placed on the support arm to which thepivot ball19 is connected.

Thesecond clamping member22 has a bolt bore50 formed therein. Theextension rod18 is preferably fixedly attached to thesecond clamping member22. While fixedly attaching theextension rod18 to thesecond clamping member22 reduces the complexity of arranging theretractor support apparatus10, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that it is also possible to fabricate thesecond clamping member22 in other configurations while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

To enhance the ability to retain the first clampingmember20 in a desired position with respect to thesecond clamping member22 when theclamp12 is in the clamping position, abushing80 is preferably provided between the first clampingmember20 and thesecond clamping member22. Thebushing80 preferably has a frustro-conicalupper surface82 and a frustro-conicallower surface84.

When thebushing80 is formed with frustro-conical upper andlower surfaces82 and84, thelower clamp leg26 preferably includes a frustro-conicallower surface86 that substantially surrounds the bolt bore40, as most clearly illustrated in FIG.3. The frustro-conicallower surface86 is preferably orientated at substantially the same angle as the frustro-conicalupper surface82 so that the frustro-conical surfaces82 and86 are substantially in contact with each other when thebushing80 is placed adjacent to the first clampingmember20.

Similarly, thesecond clamping member22 preferably includes a frustro-conicalupper surface88 that extends around the bolt bore50. The frustro-conicalupper surface88 is preferably oriented at substantially the same angle as the frustro-conicallower surface84 so that the frustro-conical surface84 and88 are substantially in contact with each other when thebushing80 is placed adjacent to thesecond clamping member22.

To maintain the first clampingmember20 and thesecond clamping member22 in an assembled configuration while allowing theclamp12 to be moved between the open and clamping positions, theclamp10 includes a fastening mechanism90. The fastening mechanism90 preferably includes abolt92 and anut94. Thenut94 engages a threadedregion96 on thebolt92. Opposite the threadedregion96, thebolt92 includes a handle bore98 extending therethrough.

Theclamp12 is moved between the open and clamping positions with aclamp handle100. The clamp handle100 preferably moves theclamp12 between the open and clamping positions using a camming action. The clamp handle100 includes agrip portion102 and apivot portion104, which is preferably oriented substantially perpendicular to thegrip portion102. Thepivot portion104 preferably has a substantially cylindricalouter surface106 that allows thepivot portion104 to rotate within the handle bore42.

The camming action is provided by aneccentric section108 on thepivot portion104. Theeccentric section108 is preferably located at an intermediate location on thepivot portion104, as most clearly illustrated in FIG.2. Theeccentric portion108 is offset from a central axis110 of thepivot portion104, as most clearly illustrated in FIG.3. This configuration allows theeccentric portion108 to engage the clamp handle100 through the handle bore98.

To further enhance the operation of theclamp12, theclamp12 preferably includes a pair ofsleeve bearings112, as most clearly illustrated in FIG.2. Thesleeve bearings112 are placed over theouter surface106 on either side of theeccentric section108. Thesleeve bearings112 are preferably constructed from a strong and durable plastic such as Victrex PEEK, a linear aromatic polymer of poly(alyletherketone). Victrex PEEK is described in UK Patent No. 432 02 24 and may be obtained from ICI of Great Britain.

Theretractor support apparatus10 is assembled by inserting thebolt92 through the bolt bore40 so that thehandle aperture98 is adjacent to thehandle aperture42. Thepivot portion104 is then inserted through the handle bore42 until theeccentric section108 is adjacent to thehandle aperture98. Thenut94 is then screwed onto the threadedregion96 of thebolt92.

To preclude theclamp12 from being disassembled by removing thenut94 from thebolt92, retaining pins114 are driven between thenut94 and thebolt92. The retaining pins114 deform the threads on both thenut94 and thebolt92 and thereby preclude thenut94 from being removed from thebolt92.

In operation, theclamp12 is initially in an open position, as most clearly illustrated in FIG.1. When theclamp12 is in the open position, theclamp12 permits the first andsecond support arms14,16 to be moved to a selected position. Once the first andsecond support arms14,16 are in the selected position, theclamp12 retains the first andsecond support arms14,16 in the selected position. It is also possible to rotate the first clampingmember20 with respect to thesecond clamping member22 when theclamp12 is in the open position.

Theclamp12 is then moved to the clamping position by rotating the clamp handle100 with respect to the first clampingmember20, as indicated byarrow116 in FIG. 1 until the clamp handle100 is in the position indicated by broken lines100a. Rotation of the clamp handle100 causes theeccentric section108 to urge thebolt92 towards theupper clamp leg24, as indicated byarrow116. Movement of thebolt92 towards theupper clamp leg24 pulls thesecond clamping member22 towards theupper clamp leg24, which thereby causes thelower clamp leg26 to be urged towards theupper clamp leg24. Thefirst clamping member20 is thereby retained in a fixed relationship with respect to thesecond clamping member22.

Movement of thelower clamp leg26 towards theupper clamp leg24 decreases the circumference of the clamping bore32, which causes thesleeve52 to constrict over thepivot balls19. Constriction of thesleeve52 over thepivot balls19 secures the first andsecond support arms14,16 in the selected position with respect to theclamp12.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (45)

What is claimed is:

1. A retractor support apparatus comprising:

a first support arm;

a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto; and

a first clamping member of a unitary construction having first and second leg portions defining a clamping bore adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls, wherein a slot separates the first and second leg portions, wherein the first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the first clamping member is in a nonclamping position, and wherein the first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the first clamping member is in a clamping position.

2. The retractor support apparatus of claim1, and further comprising a second clamping member pivotally mounted with respect to the first clamping member.

3. The retractor support apparatus of claim2, and further comprising:

a bolt retained in relation to the second clamping member; and

a clamp handle that operably engages the bolt and the first clamping member for moving the clamp between the open and clamping positions.

4. The retractor support apparatus of claim3, wherein clamp handle includes an eccentric section, and wherein the clamp handle engages the bolt through the eccentric section.

5. The retractor support apparatus of claim1, and further comprising a sleeve positionable in the clamping bore.

6. The retractor support apparatus of claim5, wherein the sleeve has a pair of semi-circular channels extending around an inner surface of sleeve, and wherein the channels are each adapted to receive one of the pivot balls.

7. The retractor support apparatus of claim5, and further comprising a spring positioned between the pivot balls inside of the sleeve.

8. A retractor support apparatus comprising:

a first support arm;

a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto;

an extension rod; and

a clamp comprising:

a first clamping member having a clamping bore formed therein, wherein the clamping bore is adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls;

a second clamping member pivotally mounted to the first clamping member, wherein the extension rod is attached to the second clamping member; and

a handle operably engaging the first and second clamping members for moving the clamp between an open position and a clamping position.

9. The retractor support apparatus of claim8, wherein the first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamp is in an open position, and wherein the first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the clamp is in a clamping position.

10. The retractor support apparatus of claim8, and further comprising:

a bolt retained in relation to the second clamping member; and

a clamp handle that operably engages the bolt and the first clamping member for moving the clamp between the open and clamping positions.

11. The retractor support apparatus of claim8, and further comprising a sleeve positionable in the clamping bore.

12. The retractor support apparatus of claim11 wherein the sleeve has a pair of semi-circular channels extending around an inner surface of the sleeve, and wherein the channels are each adapted to receive one of the pivot balls.

13. The retractor support apparatus of claim11, and further comprising a spring positioned between the pivot balls inside of the sleeve.

14. A clamp for use in a retractor support apparatus, the clamp retaining first and second support arms in a selected position, the clamp comprising:

pivot balls attached to the first and second support arms; and

a first clamping member of a unitary construction having first and second leg portions defining a clamping bore adapted to receive and engagc the pivot balls, wherein a slot separates the first and second leg portions, wherein the first clamping member retains the pivot balls in a selected position when the first clamping member is in a nonclamping position, and wherein the first clamping member secures the pivot balls in the selected position when the first clamping member is in a clamping position.

15. The clamp of claim14, and further comprising a second clamping member pivotally mounted with respect to the first clamping member.

16. The clamp of claim15, and further comprising:

a bolt retained in relation to the second clamping member; and

a clamp handle that operably engages the bolt and the first clamping member for moving the clamp between the open and clamping positions.

17. The clamp of claim14, and further comprising a sleeve positionable in the clamping bore.

18. The clamp of claim17, wherein the sleeve has a pair of semi-circular channels extending around an inner surface of sleeve, and wherein the channels are each adapted to receive one of the pivot balls.

19. The clamp of claim17, and further comprising a spring positioned between the pivot balls inside of the sleeve.

20. A retractor support apparatus comprising:

a first support arm;

a second support arm wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto; and

a clamping assembly wherein the clamping assembly comprises:

a clamping members having

an upper first clamp leg and a lower second clamp leg of integral construction, the first and second clamp legs defining a clamping bore, the clamping bore extending through the clamping member adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls in either a clamping or a nonclaamping position and to secure the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamping member is in the clamping position.

21. The retractor support apparatus of claim20 wherein the first clamping member further comprises

a slot separating the upper first clamp leg and the lower second clamp leg.

22. The retractor support apparatus of claim21 wherein the clamping assembly further comprises:

a bolt member extending through the first clamp leg and being attached to the second clamp leg; and

a camming mechanism for engaging the bolt such that the clamping member is positionable in either the clamping or nonclamping positions.

23. The retractor support apparatus of claim22 wherein the camming mechanism further comprises:

a camming pin extending through the first leg, the camming pin having a camming section, the camming section engaging the bolt such that when the camming pin is turned, the bolt moves the second leg toward the first leg, constricting the clamping bore to place the clamping member in the clamping position.

24. An apparatus for use in surgical procedures to support retractors, the apparatus comprising:

a first support arm;

a second support arm wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto; and

a clamping assembly including a clamping member having a first upper clamp leg and a second lower clamp leg integrally connected with each other and defining a clamping bore within the clamping member, the clamping bore being adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls, wherein the clamping member when in a nonclamping position permits the pivot balls to rotate within the clamping bore, and wherein the clamping member when in a clamping position, fixes the position of the pivot balls and prevents the pivot balls from rotating thereby securing the support arms in a selected position.

25. The retractor support apparatus of claim24 wherein the clamping member further comprises:

a slot separating the upper first clamp leg and the lower second clamp leg.

26. The retractor support apparatus of claim25 wherein the clamping assembly further comprises:

a bolt member extending through the first clamp leg and being attached to the second clamp leg; and

a camming mechanism for engaging the bolt such that the clamping member is positionable in either the clamping or nonclamping positions.

27. The retractor support apparatus of claim26 wherein the camming mechanism further comprises:

a camming pin extending through the first leg, the camming pin having a camming section, the camming section engaging the bolt such that when the camming pin is turned, the bolt moves the second leg toward the first leg, constricting the clamping bore to place the clamping member in the clamping position.

28. A retractor support apparatus comprising:

a first support arm;

a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto; and

a first clamping member constructed from a single piece of material having a first upper leg portion and a second lower leg portion defining a clamping bore adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls, wherein a slot separates the first upper leg portion and the second lower leg portion, wherein the first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamp is in an open position, and wherein the first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the clamp is in a clamping position.

29. The retractor support apparatus of claim28, and further comprising a second clamping member pivotally mounted with respect to the first clamping member.

30. The retractor support apparatus of claim29, and further comprising:

a bolt retained in relation to the second clamping member; and

a clamp handle that operably engages the bolt and the first clamping member for moving the clamp between the open and clamping positions.

31. The retractor support apparatus of claim30, wherein clamp handle includes an eccentric section, and wherein the clamp handle engages the bolt through the eccentric section.

32. The retractor support apparatus of claim28, and further comprising a sleeve positionable in the clamping bore.

33. The retractor support apparatus of claim32, wherein the sleeve has a pair of semi-circular channels extending around an inner surface of sleeve, and wherein the channels are each adapted to receive one of the pivot balls.

34. The retractor support apparatus of claim32, and further comprising a spring positioned between the pivot balls inside of the sleeve.

35. A retractor support apparatus comprising:

a first support arm;

a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto; and

a first clamping member of unitarty construction and having a clamping bore adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls wherein the first clamping member reduces a circumference of the clamping bore thereby positioning the first clamping member into a clamping position such that the surfaces that define the clamping bore clamp the first and second support arms in the selected position.

36. The retractor support apparatus of claim35 wherein the surfaces defining the clamping bore comprises:

an upper first clamp leg;

a lower second clamp leg wherein the upper first clamp leg and the lower second clamp leg each have a surface defining the clamping bore; and

a slot separating the upper first clamp leg and the lower second clamp leg.

37. The retractor support apparatus of claim35, and further comprising a second clamping member pivotally mounted with respect to the first clamping member.

38. The retractor support apparatus of claim37, and further comprising:

a bolt retained in relation to the second clamping member; and

a clamp handle that operably engages the bolt and the first clamping member for moving the clamp between the open and clamping positions.

39. The retractor support apparatus of claim38, wherein the clamp handle includes an eccentric section, and wherein the clamp handle engages the bolt through the eccentric section which provides the compressive force that positions the first clamping member into the clamping position.

40. A retractor support apparatus comprising:

a first support arm;

a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto; and

a first clamping member of unitary construction having first and second leg portions defining a clamping bore adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls, wherein the first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in a selected position when the first and second leg portions are moved to a clamping position.

41. The apparatus of claim40 wherein the first clamping member retains the pivot balls in the selected position when the first and second leg portions are moved to a nonclamping position.

42. The retractor support apparatus of claim40, and further comprising a second clamping member pivotally mounted with respect to the first clamping member.

43. The retractor support apparatus of claim42, and further comprising:

a bolt retained in relation to the second clamping member; and

a clamp handle that operably engages the bolt and the first clamping member for moving the clamp between the open and clamping positions.

44. The retractor support apparatus of claim43, wherein the clamp handle includes an eccentric section, and wherein the clamp handle engages the bolt through the eccentric section which provides the compressive force that positions the first clamping member into the clamping position.

45. The retractor support apparatus of claim40 wherein a slot separates the first and second lcg portions.

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